[Warning: The following post contains MAJOR spoilers for the Monday, September 22, episode of Jeopardy!]
Jeopardy! contestant Steven Olson returned for his second sport on September 22 and spoke out about how he ready for the sport present and his expertise on it. The sport was one other runaway win between the three contestants.
Olson, from Princeton, Illinois, performed in opposition to Jonathan Goldman, from Palm Seaside Gardens, Florida, and David Shutoff, from Salem, Massachusetts, after successful $19,602 in his first sport. Olson teaches at a highschool and a center faculty, and he shares a classroom along with his spouse, who can be a music trainer.
Olson, a band director, took the lead through the starting of the spherical, regardless of two triple stumpers, and Shutoff, a product growth supervisor, sneaking in a couple of solutions. The reigning champion discovered the Day by day Double on clue 10.
With $1,300 in his financial institution, he made it a real Day by day Double. In “King James Bible Speak,” the clue learn, “The KJV loves this synonym for ‘strike’ or ‘bash’, as in ‘thou shalt’ do that to ‘the rock, and there shall come water out of it.’” Olson appropriately answered with “What’s Smite?” and doubled to $2,600.
By the tip of the spherical, he maintained the lead with $10,200. Shutoff had $3,000. Goldman, a futures dealer, trailed with $2,200.
In Double Jeopardy, Olson discovered the primary DD and made a dangerous wager. With $15,000, he wagered $7,000 in “Asian Cities.” The clue was “This Lebanese metropolis was created when 3 sections settled by folks from Tyre, Sidon & Arvad merged into one metropolis.” After being prompted by host Ken Jennings to offer a solution, Olson stated, “What’s Beirut?” He was improper and dropped right down to $8,000. The proper response was “What’s Tripoli?”
It was a battle between Olson and Shutoff till Olson discovered the second DD of the spherical. From his complete of $10,800, Olson wagered $4,000. The clue in “‘Cross’ Phrases & Phrases,” learn “This act by Julius Caesar in 49 B.C. led to struggle in opposition to Pompey & the Senate.” He appropriately answered with “What’s crossing the Rubicon?” and took an enormous lead of $14,800.
Though Shutoff and Goldman put up a good struggle, Olson got here out on high with $20,400. Shutoff was in second with $13,400. Goldman had $7,400 going into Closing Jeopardy.
The Closing Jeopardy query within the class “Political Historical past” wasn’t really easy for the entire contestants. It learn, “The phrases of this doctrine are present in a sonnet by James I & bolstered by St. Paul writing, ‘the powers that be are ordained by god.’” The proper response was “What’s the Divine Proper of Kings?” which solely one among them stated.
Goldman’s response was, “What Divine? Hello Eric + Lily.” He stayed at $7,400 after wagering $0. Shutoff thought it was the Monroe Doctrine and had a remaining complete of $6,399 after wagering $7,001. Olson obtained it proper, writing “What’s Divine proper of kings?” He received the sport with $26,804 after wagering $6,404. Olson will return for sport three on Tuesday, September 22.
After his first win, Olson spoke along with his alma mater, Western Illinois College, about his time on the sport present. “I’ve watched Jeopardy! constantly since I used to be a child, and so it was an absolute dream come true,” he instructed the faculty, which he graduated from in 2015.
“I used to be fortunate to have the summer time off main as much as my taping, so I did do some preparation. Ken Jennings is each bit as good and humorous as you’ll count on.” After going by the method each contestant does to audition, Olson spent his summer time making his personal video games of Jeopardy! and brushing up on classes he wasn’t too robust in.
Nonetheless, as soon as he stepped onto the stage, Olson didn’t consider it till he heard his identify known as. “It was very surreal to stroll into the stage that I’ve seen so many occasions on TV and see it in actual life,” he stated. “The workforce at Jeopardy! was extraordinarily welcoming, and I actually loved assembly the opposite contestants from my tape day and speaking to them all through the day. Strolling on stage and being introduced as a contestant was indescribable. I used to be as confused as I’ve ever been in my life.”
The chance was much more particular as a result of he used to look at Jeopardy! along with his mother, who died a few 12 months in the past, in accordance with his native information station, KWQC. “I misplaced my mother final 12 months,” he instructed the outlet. “We did plenty of that collectively. My love of studying and my information of stuff began there. So, I do know she’d be very happy with me.”
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